Native leaders, immigration activists and a nurse with Dignity Well being on Monday, July 7, denounced the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and contractors contained in the foyer of Dignity Well being Glendale Memorial Hospital whereas a girl continued to obtain therapy for accidents sustained whereas she was detained in Sherman Oaks final week, authorities mentioned.
Officers recognized the girl Monday as Milagro Solis Portillo. Her age was not disclosed.
Media reviews have mentioned Portillo was taken into custody by Immigration Customs Enforcement companies at an house advanced in Sherman Oaks Thursday, July 3. Additional particulars in regards to the detention of Portillo haven’t been disclosed.
Activists Monday alleged she suffered a medical emergency whereas handcuffed for eight hours earlier than she arrived at Dignity Well being Glendale Memorial Hospital, the place she was being handled for an undisclosed medical emergency.
Supporters held indicators behind audio system at a press convention at Dignity Well being Glendale Memorial Middle Monday, July 7. The audio system denounced the presence of federal brokers within the hospital’s foyer whereas a girl who was detained by ICE brokers final week continued to obtain medical therapy following a medical emergency. (Nathaniel Percy, Every day Information/SCNG)
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Supporters held indicators behind audio system at a press convention at Dignity Well being Glendale Memorial Middle Monday, July 7. The audio system denounced the presence of federal brokers within the hospital’s foyer whereas a girl who was detained by ICE brokers final week continued to obtain medical therapy following a medical emergency. (Nathaniel Percy, Every day Information/SCNG)
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Additionally they mentioned federal officers have stayed within the foyer of the hospital all through her keep, creating an setting of concern and nervousness whereas individuals are on the facility to heal.
“Everybody deserves access to health care in an environment that is safe and free from intimidation, and that is not what is happening,” Senator Sasha Renee Perez, D-Pasadena, mentioned Monday, including that she discovered of the scenario on the Fourth of July.
Perez mentioned she escorted Portillo’s household contained in the hospital for a go to with Portillo and to satisfy with the CEO of the hospital.
A senior DHS official, in an announcement despatched Monday, mentioned Portillo is “an unlawful alien from El Salvador who had been faraway from america twice and has been arrested for crimes of false identification, theft and housebreaking.
“ICE takes its commitment to promoting safe, secure, humane environments for those in our custody very seriously,” the assertion continued. “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This includes access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”
In an announcement to ABC 7 Los Angeles, Dignity Well being Glendale Memorial Hospital mentioned it may possibly’t prohibit legislation enforcement from being in areas of the hospital which are accessible to the general public, such because the foyer.
“Dignity Health Glendale Memorial Hospital acknowledges the community’s concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and we share a desire to keep our neighbors safe,” the assertion learn. “The hospital cannot legally restrict law enforcement or security personnel from being present in public areas which include the hospital lobby/waiting area.”
In accordance with the American Civil Liberties Union’s Northern California chapter, well being facilities should enable ICE officers “in any areas where they would allow general members of the public. ICE officers may be excluded from private areas that are clearly posted and enforced for patients and family.”
Well being facilities and their employees are usually not required and can’t be compelled to implement immigration legal guidelines, nor have they got to gather details about a affected person’s immigration standing, the ACLU says. Additionally they are legally obligated to guard affected person privateness and “should not disclose any information without a judicial warrant, except in the case of an emergency that poses immediate harm.”
Federal brokers can not entry a private space – reminiscent of therapy rooms, inpatient items and places of work – with no legitimate judicial warrant, the ACLU says.
Sarah Houston, managing lawyer with Immigration Defenders, mentioned the legislation agency was representing Portillo and her household. On Monday, she accused the hospital of exposing a minimum of a few of Portillo’s info to federal brokers.
Affected person info may be disclosed from a hospital in very particular circumstances, she mentioned, reminiscent of in an try and find a fugitive, a fabric witness or a lacking particular person.
“In this case, the hospital has not provided us with any information as to why they disclosed personal health information here,” Houston mentioned. “It doesn’t appear to be it matches below one of many exceptions.
“Healthcare workers and the hospital are not obligated to share any information with ICE or (the Department of Homeland Security) about themselves, patients or coworkers unless a judicial warrant specifically requires it,” she added. “This protection ensures that patient confidentiality and privacy are maintained.”
Houston mentioned Portillo “has several serious health conditions that when compounded, makes it impossible to house her in a detention facility.”
Audio system denouncing the presence of federal officers within the hospital at Monday’s press convention included representatives from Assemblymember Nick Schultz’ workplace, the Glendale and Burbank and Los Angeles metropolis councils, a Dignity Well being nurse, Glendale Instructor’s Affiliation, Glendale Unified Faculty District board of training, Glendale School Guild, native religion leaders, a number of immigration activist teams and others.
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